Should I change my Transmission Fluid? 300k mi 2004 toyota tacoma automatic 2wd prerunner

Thanks for the input Nessal.

 

New Question - has anyone here ever changed the transmission fluid and f*** up their car? Just wondering as a last precautionary question before I go ahead and change it.

 

I would send a sample to blackstone labs, its like 20 bucks and they will be able to tell you if the fluid has life left in it. Plus they can tell you if there is any worrying metals in the fluid. Fluid color is a poor indicator of its condition, it could be brown because its burned, or just because of normal clutch ware in a high mileage tranny.

 

Back when automatic transmissions were control by mechanical governors, there were many tiny pin sized orifices in them. These tiny orifices could be easily clogged by by contaminates released by a fluid flush. Modern transmissions are controlled electronically by solenoids and don't have tiny orifices that can easily be clogged. A fluid flush on a modern transmission has little risk of damaging the transmission, at most it will make apparent a mechanical problem that was already there but masked by the crappy fluid. Keep in mind that the mechanical problem would eventually destroy your transmission anyway and the flush may make the problem obvious before it completely destroys the transmission.

 

Sounds good, thanks for the additional info. Do you think a fluid drain and fill every oil change would prevent the Mechanical problem from showing itself early? Could it also improve the condition of that mechanical problem if done properly and timely? Again, just trying to make my transmission last longer.

 

If there is a mechanical problem it should be addressed sooner rather than later, it will be cheaper to fix and if not fixed could leave you stranded somewhere. Just because is not showing itself doesn't mean its not hurting your transmission. If it drives fine I really would send a sample to https://www.blackstone-labs.com/. its 30 bucks for transmission fluid test. If they say the fluid is in ok shape, then a drain and fill every oil change would be good. If the fluid is shot I would do a flush. New fluid won't fix a mechanical problem, it can however stop its progression.

 

Thanks man I appreciate it. I already put my information in so they can send a test kit.

 

YOU WILL NOT DAMAGE YOUR TRASMISSION BY DOING A DRAIN AND FILL


IN ANY SHAPE MANNER OR FORM... EVER


UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES

 

My truck has 206k miles when I bought it. Pretty sure the previous owner never done it. He did have a receipt on record about a "transmission flush" done around 190k miles but I highly doubt it was an actual flush but rather a drain and fill. When I drained the fluid, it was very dark. I drained and filled 3 times and the transmission shifts as good as ever.

 

If you are nervous about the fluid change, do the drain and fill method over 3 consecutive oil changes. This method represents a gradual introduction of new fluid, with its cleaning properties. I just finished the process on my 3.4L 4x4 auto with 261,000. Shifting great. I have also done my 2.7 4x4 auto with 160,000. Shifting great.

As to the theory that harm will occur, my personal experience leads me to believe that at one time there was a basis for this concern. I have a real world example to share. I once bought a 1972 Camaro from a used car dealer. After only about a month, the upshifting became sluggish. Somebody recommended I change the fluid. I did, and almost immediately it would no engage in reverse.

I took the car to a transmission shop owned by a friend of my fathers. He told me that it was a common practice of used car dealers to put additives/thicker fluids into a failing trans and sell a car. He said, whether I changed the fluid or not, the trans was going to fail soon.

My position is, either your trans is okay or not. Changing the fluid will not cause it to fail.

 

Thanks for the info I appreciate it. I probably will go ahead with the drain and fill method.

 

Sounds good thanks for the information!

 

Thanks Taco. Lo hare. Creo con todo el informacion que he recibido aqui en TacomaWorld, el desicion final sera hacer el cambio. Muchas gracias a vos y a todos.

 

Órale

 

Orale! Your taco is like the final form of my taco! I love it!
I see you have done a shit load of work to it. If you have any spare parts, let me know and I will buy them off you!
P.S. I see many of my Taco peers have a wife and kids - I am glad I'm a single 20 y/o so I can mod it out to my hearts content LOL!
Take care!

 

I just saw this message!

On my Tacoma, not so much but several other vehicles over time and never had issues (BMW 335d, 2nd gen Dodge Durango and several Land Rovers...) Just ensure levels are correct post fill and you're using OEM or OEM approved fluid/filter.

 

Thanks for the info!